The Wilmingtonian., 1887-04-09
John M. Clayton

/
In the constellation Of brilliant and com.
prehensive statesmanship history has un-
quail hedly recorded the name of John N
| Clayton.
When but thirty-three years old, john NJ.
| Clayton wins delegated by his native state
| TO represent her in the highest Legislative
| body in this cnuntry-when he entered the
Senate # the United states, he was the
youngest member of that august Assem-.
bage.
Thomas II. B .nton. J 'hn G. Calhoun,
Robert Y. Hayne and Dau,cl Webster were
in the Senate, end they were the master
minds of America; bat these men had no
terror Tor John NJ. Clayton, and in the very
first weeks of his senatorial experience, he
was found in mental combat with the very
able man, r bet Y. Hayne.
HIS mastery arragnment Of Hayne. as
to ,ished his friends and attracted tho att en.
tion all men 10 public life. HIS tr y s.
cend ntal abilies marked HIM AZ leader
in the senate; aud this position was never
after ward question, d.
John NJ. Clayton formulated the treaty
known as the Clayton Bulwe treaty.
Senator Seward in speaking of the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty, said, 'it was the 'od
fortune of John VI. Clayton to link his own
fame with that great aud stupendius trans
action, and to win for b mself th eternal
gratitude of future generations, not ouly in
his own country, but Ilrou !hOut the great
divisions of the earth. The treaty lis "a bond
Of promise of peace aud concord to ali
nations, aud 1t is an imperishanle monument
10 tue fame of Deaware's noble offspring"
Ex-Mdrshall McMulen in speaking To the
writer of his reonl-ctiUns of prominent
Delawa said b It it was his d dlsiin.
guished privilege 10 be a near neighbor of
Mr.. Clayton in his later years aud his o
membranes ofhim are intensely int rest ny.
II is simplicity of manuer aud his thou .ht-
ful care for those with whom he assnciat ed,
endeared hun to the hearts of his fellow
citizens.
His friendship was as enduring as time
and his maguetrc Influence was suoh that
his friends would ''du and dare" at bis
pleasure.
MIR. McMullen said that his WAS the
archetyIe ex stehce--that his was the grand
est, Dobest iUim OF manhood That
neither before nor since has he met mau
who pussessed 30 many of the elements
of tue nobility as his unassumiug neighbor
John NJ. Clayton.
We have been told by those who poi
cally differed from him, that HE methods
were no farciuat'ng aud hIs arguments so
cogent that, even when political excitement
was at lever heat, hls opponents would fo-
get their party tles-and would make his
a triunphal procession. HIS power with
the people was maIvrllously strong-aud,
to-day we have seen men with frosted heads
have their eyes sutfusei with tears. as they
reoouuted the kindly offices Of their depar-
ted friend.
Industry Lodge No. Q, A. o. U. W., feel
ing that the memory Of such mau as John
NJ. Clayton should ever be- kept green by the
citizens Of Delaware, invited lio /. joseph r.
COmegys, Chief Jusii q of Delaware, q near
klnsman of that noble and dIsunguIshed
man, TO deliver an address upon the life,
character, aud public services Of John VI.
Clay ton.
The Chief Justice has kindly consented
to deliver SAID sddr, s. at the Grand Opera
House on Wednesday evening, May IL.
The general admission has been placed at
III. nominal figure of 25 cSuts, 90 as to eu-
courage a generous attendance aud the
payment of an extra 10 ceuts will secure
reserved seat.
Judge Comegys will perform his task
with an affection aud with a completeness
worthy of his illnrtrlonS subject.